Charleston church murders a cowardly act

Opinion: Lehigh Valley Sikhs offer sympathy for Charleston community

The Sikh community in the Lehigh Valley is saddened by the gruesome murder of nine innocent African-American worshippers at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., allegedly by a young white man whom they had welcomed amongst themselves at their Wednesday Bible study.

Our hearts pour out for those who have lost their loved ones and for the whole AME church community in Charleston. An attack on the innocent worshippers in any religious institution is the most cowardly and hateful act and cannot be justified by any person of faith.

We Americans are the most God-loving and tolerant people, and we must make every effort to eradicate such religious and racial hatred from our society.